Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi Amidst Budget Padding Allegations

The Nigerian Senate has taken a bold step by suspending former Senate Deputy Leader and Northern Senators Forum Chairman Senator Abdul Ningi for three months.

The suspension, issued at a session at the Senate’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, followed Ningi’s complaints about budget padding and anomalies in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Mike Ugbagu, who announced the details during a press briefing, the Senate decided to suspend Ningi in response to a motion by Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The motion focused on Ningi’s assertions of a N3 trillion budget padding in the N28.7 trillion 2024 Appropriation Act, as well as differences between the budget passed by the National Assembly and the one being executed by the Presidency.

The suspension resolution was preceded by a tumultuous session in the Senate chamber, where Senator Ningi’s allegations sparked heated debates and raised concerns about the integrity of the budgetary process. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim initially proposed a twelve-month suspension, but Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong suggested reducing it to six months, while Senator Musa Garba Maidoki recommended a three-month suspension, which was eventually adopted.

In an interview with the BBC (Hausa Service), Ningi had voiced concerns about discrepancies in the budget and alleged budget padding, pointing to a N3 trillion discrepancy between the approved budget and the one being implemented by the Presidency. His remarks stirred controversy within the Senate, leading to a demand for accountability and a fair hearing.

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The suspension of Senator Ningi underscores the Senate’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in governance. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of making unsubstantiated claims and the importance of adhering to due process in legislative proceedings.

As the Senate navigates the aftermath of this suspension, it remains imperative to address the underlying issues raised by Senator Ningi and ensure that the budgetary process is conducted with integrity and in the best interest of the Nigerian people. The suspension serves as a cautionary tale and emphasizes the Senate’s determination to maintain the credibility of its proceedings.